Work starts on mental health charity's new home as appeal tops £170K

Work has now started on the new Starbeck home of Wellspring Therapy & Training, the Harrogate-based counselling and training centre, of which Bishop Nick is patron.

The mental health charity has raised more than £171,000 towards its target of £236,000 to enable it to move into new premises to cope with the growing demand for its services.

The charity is relocating to nearby St Andrew’s Vicarage, which has been bought by the Liz and Terry Bramall Foundation. Wellspring will be moving in early next year, after an extensive refurbishment.

Bishop Nick says: "For many people with mental health issues, timely access to good quality talking therapy is essential. And at a time when access to that provision is at a premium, charities like Wellspring provide a crucial service.

"I was glad to offer my support by becoming Wellspring’s patron and I am delighted to see that the next phase of the relocation project is underway".

The well-respected charity provides affordable short and long-term counselling for Harrogate and district community.

Moira Start, the chair of Wellspring’s trustees, says, "We are delighted by the wholehearted support shown by the Bishop of Leeds. As one of the very senior members of the Church of England, with so many demands on his time, this support is a real endorsement of what we are trying to achieve.

Emily Fullarton, the director of Wellspring (pictured with Bishop Nick), says: "What makes Wellspring’s work unique is that we offer affordable long-term, open-ended counselling where needed. Unfortunately, this type of therapy is not currently widely available from the NHS. Most private counselling typically costs between £40-60 for each session, but many of our clients are unable to afford this.

"In the UK, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health issue at least once in their lifetime. According to local research, many people in Harrogate assume because it is a ‘nice town’ people don’t struggle with these issues. That simply isn’t true. There is a huge demand in Harrogate for our services and it’s increasing, which is why we need to expand.

"We are passionate about enabling people to find healing and seeing them move towards emotional, mental and spiritual wellbeing".